Modular blocks assembly CD rack

ABSTRACT

The invention is a modular and wooden blocks type of CD rack. The CD storage comprises of several individual modules. And with different combinations of different modules, one can assemble different types of racks for storing CD and CD box. The modules comprise side plate, end plate, back plate, bottom feet, stand plate, support beam, connection structure. Because of the different modules, multiple types of CD rack such as vertical, horizontal and plane type CD racks can be structured and therefore it is capable of storing CD jewelry case, CD boxes and other objects. The framed racks are stackable unlimitedly in both vertical and horizontal direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is a modular and wooden block type CD rack,especially; a CD rack comprises of several different modules and can beassembled to multiple types of CD rack via different combinations ofdifferent Modules. The rack stores not only CD jewelry case or CD boxes,but also various kinds of objects of different thickness. The assembledrack can be unlimitedly stacked providing more storing space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Presently, musical creation and computerize multimedia have beingdeveloped successfully, and CDs are getting more and more. Thus, themanagement for storing CD to save limited room and effectively utilizereserving room is becoming a great issue. A popular way is to store anumber of CDs and CD boxes by racks.

[0003] In prior art, a CD rack is an integral structure and it is onlyfor storing case for single CD (or CD boxes storing CDs and thethickness are same), which means the prior art is suitable for fixedthickness and other different kinds of thickness will not be stored.Thus, the situation is not convenient for user. Furthermore, prior artis single purpose and is not able to match different applications.Therefore, there is a need to create a CD rack of multiple functions toadapt CD boxes of different style and different thickness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The main purpose of the invention is to apply the concept ofwooden blocks to assemble different kinds of CD racks. By using modulesit is possible to make distinct types of CD racks for unlike sorts ofthickness of CD boxes or other objects. Furthermore, the invention isbeautiful in looking and effectively uses limited space available.

[0005] The second purpose of the invention is to offer a module sideplate. There are plural grooves on the two opposite side surfaces of theside plate and the grooves are spacing differently on the two sidesurfaces. By assigning the same side surface of the two side platesfacing toward inside, objects of different thickness can be adapted ingrooves.

[0006] The modules for the invention contains side plate, end plate,back plate, bottom feet, support beam, connection pin, support rod, etc.

[0007] Side plate is a plate object having plural ribs. The crosssection of the side plate is in symmetry, and each end has a curvedleading edge matching with an end plate. On its one side there areplural wide ribs sticking out and is used for loading thicker CD boxes.On the other side, there are plural narrow ribs for loading single pc CDbox or thinner objects. The distances between narrow ribs are shorter..

[0008] There are plural connection holes on side plates and theconnection holes are the connection structures for connecting othermodules. There is another type of connection structure, which separatelyarranged above and under side plates, and is for purpose of expandingthe CD rack. Generally, the male and female dovetails design will beused.

[0009] The goal to design the structure of side plate is variablefunctions. Thus, the side plates can be used as the right and left sideplate of a vertical CD rack, or the up and down side plate of ahorizontal CD rack. Furthermore, it can be a simple CD rack on desktopby adding bottom feet.

[0010] The structure of the end plate is symmetrical. End plates areused as the up and down sides of a CD rack with a closed space. (orright and left sides of a horizontal CD rack). Furthermore, the endplates can be turned over to use and the functions are totally same. Thetenons on end plates are protruded and for combining with connectionholes of side plates. On the end plates there are plural connectionholes for connecting with back plates.

[0011] Two side plates and two end plates construct an internal room forstoring, and it is the basic form of a CD rack.

[0012] Back plates can be used alone and as a single piece CD rackadapting CD, floppy disk, MO, zip disk, mini disk, tape, etc. Also, theback plate combine with side plates, end plates for enhancing theoverall strength of a vertical CD rack. The vertical CD rack is a tallstructure. The back plate has hangers or hanging holes capable for wallmounting.

[0013] Stand plate connects with the end plate of bottom, and the standplate is to keep the rack stable when assembling vertical CD rack.

[0014] Side bottom foot is matching with side plate, and it is tosupport side plate for constructing a simple CD rack or a horizontal CDrack.

[0015] Extended foot constructs with end plate and side plate forbuilding up the up and down sides of the closed reserving room.

[0016] Stand pillar is in cooperation with side plates and supports thetwo side plates when constructing a horizontal CD rack. It then formsthe to closed reserving room of the horizontal CD rack.

[0017] Connection pin is to connect the side plate of adjacent CD rackwhen expanding the rack.

[0018] Support beam cooperates with side bottom foot or extended footfor supporting CD box.

[0019] When using, two side plates and two end plates build up a basic,closed reserving room, and thus a vertical CD rack. When narrow ribs onthe two side plates are in the internal side of the closed reservingroom, the resulting rack is for thinner CD box storing one pc CD ingeneral. If turning over the right and left sides, and sides of wideribs are in the internal side of the closed reserving room, another typeof CD rack is formed, and it is for thicker CD boxes or other biggerobjects.

[0020] The first preferred embodiment comprises two side plates and twoend plates. The two side plates with narrow ribs facing each other formsthe internal walls of the closed reserving room. The two end platescomprise the up and down walls of the reserving room. A stand plateconnects with the bottom end plate to increase the stability of therack.

[0021] The second preferred embodiment is to turn the two side plates ofthe first embodiment over and let the side with wide ribs facing eachother and forms the closed reserving room. The two end plates are stillin the same position. This embodiment is for storing thicker CD boxes orother objects.

[0022] The third preferred embodiment is that installing two side bottomfeet on one side plate. The bottom feet are on the side with wide ribs.A support beam is installed on the center between two bottom feet. Thisis a simple CD rack for storing CD box for one pc CD.

[0023] The fourth preferred embodiment is a horizontal CD rack of singlelayer and comprises of two side plates, two side bottom feet, onesupport beam and four stand pillars. It is for the CD box storing singleCD.

[0024] The fifth preferred embodiment is a horizontal CD rack oftwo-layer and comprises of two side plates, four side bottom feet, twosupport beams and four stand pillars. After installing side bottom feetand support beams, a horizontal CD storage frame of two-layer is thenformed and it is for the CD box storing single CD.

[0025] The sixth preferred embodiment is a horizontal CD rack of singlelayer and comprises of two side plates, two end plates, two side bottomfeet and one support beam.

[0026] The seventh preferred embodiment is a horizontal CD rack oftwo-layer and comprises of two side plates, two end plates, two sidebottom feet, two extended feet, two support beams. The outline issimilar to the sixth preferred embodiment and the only difference isthat the up plate has two extended feet.

[0027] The eighth preferred embodiment is that turning over the up sideplate of single layer horizontal CD rack and then making the sides withwide ribs toward up. Placing shield plates between wide ribs and theupper layer can be utilized for placing stationery.

[0028] The ninth preferred embodiment is to use the back plate alone,and it is for medias, such as CD, floppy disk, MO, mini disk, zip disk,tape, etc.

[0029] For more understanding about the purpose, features and functionsof the invention, the following will be describing in detail withfigures:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1A shows 3-dimension view of the side plate of the invention,and it is the view from the side with narrow ribs.

[0031]FIG. 1B shows 3-dimension view of the side plate of the invention,and it is the view from the side with wide ribs.

[0032]FIG. 1C shows 3-dimension view of the back plate.

[0033]FIG. 1D shows 3-dimension view of the end plate and front bottomfoot.

[0034]FIG. 2A shows a 3-dimension view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

[0035]FIG. 2B shows a 3-dimension view of another preferred embodimentof the invention.

[0036]FIG. 2C shows a 3-dimension view of one preferred embodiment ofthe invention installed with a front bottom foot.

[0037]FIG. 2D shows a 3-dimension view of one preferred embodiment ofthe invention installed with a back plate.

[0038]FIG. 2E shows that variable amounts of vertical CD racks areextended along horizontal and vertical directions. The racks areconnected by different connecting mechanism along different directions.

[0039]FIG. 3A shows another preferred embodiment of the invention. Oneof side plates combines with two side bottom feet and a support beam,and makes a simple CD rack.

[0040]FIG. 3B shows the expansion of preferred embodiment in FIG. 3A.The simple CD rack can be extended in directions of either right orleft.

[0041]FIG. 3C is another preferred embodiment of the invention. Ahorizontal CD rack comprises of two side plates, support beams sidebottom feet, stand pillars. The rack can be either single or two layersconstruction, depending on the amount of bottom foot and stand pillarused.

[0042]FIG. 3D is another preferred embodiment of the invention. Thehorizontal CD rack comprises of two side plates, end plates, side bottomfeet, extended feet.

[0043]FIG. 3E is another preferred embodiment of the invention. Wideribs of one side plate are pointing upward, making rooms for storinggeneral objects.

[0044]FIG. 3F shows 3-dimension view of one preferred embodiment of theinvention with a support beam and two bottom feet, and presents theembodiment by rotating it 90 degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The invention is a modular blocks assembly CD rack. The inventioncomprises of several different modules and can be free assembled todifferent types of racks via different numbers of modules. The modulescontain side plate 10, end plate 35, back plate 30, bottom foot 15,stand plate 40, support beam 20 and related connection components. Byusing different modules, multiple types of racks such as vertical,horizontal and plane type CD rack can be constructed and thereforecapable of storing CD boxes, other keeping boxes or other objects ofdifferent thickness. All the racks constructed can be free expanded viaconnection mechanism and provide more reserving rooms for storing.Preferred connection mechanism comprises one of the following pairs:connection pins and connection holes, bolts and tap holes, keys and keyslots, female and male dovetails or bulges and grooves, which are priorart connection structures.

[0046]FIGS. 1A and 1B show the same side plate viewing from differentsides, numbered with side plates 5 and 10. FIG. 1A is the side plate 5with narrow ribs 50 and FIG. 1B is the side plate 10 with wide ribs 45.We will use side plate 10 to represent the side plate from now on,because FIGS. 1A and 1B are two side views of the same side plate. Sideplate 10 is a plane type and hollow frame structure. Both side plate end11 and side plate cross section are symmetric. The front and rear endsare with arc-shaped edges 12. One side of the side plate is with pluralnarrow ribs 50 and the space between ribs 50 is smaller, and it is forsupporting thinner CD boxes or other slice type of objects. The otherside of side plate 10 is with plural wide ribs 45 and the space betweenwide ribs 45 is larger, and it is for supporting thicker CD boxes orother objects. In the preferred embodiment, the narrow ribs 50 and wideribs 45 are tilting at the front end when assembled, and it prevents thefalling of CDs or CD boxes out of the rack.

[0047] On the two short sides of side plate 10, there are pluralconnection holes 55 and the connection holes 55 penetrate side plate 10.The connection holes 55 have multiple functions. Connections betweenside plate 10 and end plate 35, (as FIGS. 1D and 2A), side plate 10 andanother side plate 10 face to face (as FIG. 2E), side plate 10 and standpillars 25 (as FIG. 3C), are all through the holes 55. On the outskirtsof the short sides of side plate 10, there are male dovetail 60 andfemale dovetail 65. The locations of the male dovetail 60 and femaledovetail 65 are opposite on the two short sides of side plate 10 inorder that two side plates 10 can be connected via this mechanism. .

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1C, it is a back plate 30 and the purpose ofthe back plate 30 is to make the rack looks nicer and increase therigidity of the whole structure. Around the inside of the peripheral ofback plate 30, there are plural separators 31 and 32. The spacingbetween separators 31 in horizontal direction is not necessarily thesame as the spacing between separators 32 in vertical direction, so theycan be used for adapting objects of different thickness. In thepreferred embodiment, the back plate 30 also can be utilized alone toadapt plural CD boxes in between separators 31 and 32. By differentspacing between separators 31 or 32, different media such as CD, floppydisk, MO, mini disk, zip disk, tape, etc. can be seated on the backplate. Back plate 30 has tenons 33 and hanging holes 34, and the tenons33 are the connection mechanism for connecting with end plates 35.Hanging holes 34 is for mounting the whole rack on wall by nails orhangers (not shown in figure).

[0049]FIG. 1D shows a 3-dimension view for end plate 35 and stand plate40. End plate 35 is a symmetrical structure and there is an arc-shapedfront edge 37 at its front end. At both sides of the front end, thereare arc-shaped feet 38 and the arc-shaped feet 38 are matched witharc-shaped edges 12 of side plate 10. Each of two sides of end plate 35is with plural tenons 36. When connecting with side plate 10, tenons 36are inserted into connection holes 55 of side plate or connecting pin85. The center part of end plate 35 is hollow 75 and the front edge ofend plate 35 is end plate front edge 80 with arc-shaped and streamlined.Having end plate front edge 80 with arc-shaped and streamlined is tosave material and increase appearance of good looking. There is anarc-shaped slot 41 in the rear of stand plate 40 and it is matched withend plate front edge 80 and so they can be bound together. In assemblinga vertical CD rack, adding on the stand plate 40 may increase the basearea of the rack and increase its stability as well, so the rack is noteasy to fall. The front part of stand plate 40 is a slope 90 for betterlooking.

[0050] Following are some preferred embodiments for the invention:

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2A, which is one of the preferred embodimentsof the invention. The two side plates 5 and 10, with narrow ribs 50 faceto face, cooperating with two end plates 35, forms a CD rack. The narrowribs 50 form smaller spacing so thinner objects (such as CD boxes forsingle CD, etc.) can be kept in there.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2B, it is another preferred embodiment of theinvention. The two side plates 5 and 10, with wide ribs 45 face to face,cooperating with two end plates 35 forms a CD rack. A reserving room isthen formed. The wide ribs 45 form wider spacing and so thicker objects(such as CD boxes for plural CDs, etc.) can be kept in there.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2C, it is another preferred embodiment of theinvention and similar to FIG. 2A. Moreover, adding stand plate 40 to thefront edge of end plate 35 at the bottom provides more stability.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2D, it is another preferred embodiment of theinvention and similar to FIG. 2A. Adding back plate 30 to the two sideplates 5 and 10 and the end plates 35 for being a back plate, thestructure of the whole CD rack is enhanced. The function of connectingpin 85 is to connect the adjacent side plates 10 of the racks shown asFIGS. 2A, 2B or 2D, in order to expand racks along the horizontaldirection. Furthermore, male dovetail sets 60 and female dovetail sets65 can connect the two adjacent side plates 10 along vertical direction.Hence, the racks can be expanded in vertical direction, as shown in FIG.2E. In that embodiment there are several layers of CD racks stackedvertically via male and female dovetail sets. The dovetail setsmechanism prevents the fall of stacked racks. Plural connecting pins 85are to connect plural side plates 10 for horizontal extension. Theconnecting pin 85 can be a cross-cut hollow shaft.

[0055]FIG. 3F is another embodiment of the invention. It is a3-dimension view of FIG. 2A adding with a support beam 20 and two bottomfeet 15, and then shows the state of rotating 90 degrees. Two bottomfeet 15 are punched plural beam holes (no numbers) for support beams 20to fit in. To utilize the embodiment, placing the rack with two bottomfeet 15 toward down (means two side plates 10 are toward up and down andtwo end plates 35 are toward right and left directions). Thus, CD boxes(not shown) can be inserted into the space formed by narrow ribsvertically, and the bottoms of CD boxes are against the support beam 20because of the gravity from CD boxes.

[0056]FIG. 3A is another embodiment of the invention, which is with asupport beam 20 and two bottom feet 15 to one side plate 5. To utilizethe embodiment, CD boxes (not shown) are vertically inserted into thespace formed by narrow ribs, and then the bottoms of CD boxes areagainst the support beam 20 because of the gravity from CD boxes. Hence,the side plate 5 can be used alone for reserving objects and the endplates 35 are not needed under the condition. On the hand, it ispossible to let the side plate 10 with wide ribs 45 toward up in orderto reserve thicker CD boxes for multiple CDs.

[0057]FIG. 3B shows the expansion of the racks as in FIG. 3A, via maledovetail sets 60 and female dovetail sets 65. It consolidates multipleside plates 5 horizontally for keeping more CD boxes for single CD.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3C, it is a preferred embodiment using pluralstand pillars 25 to connect side plates 5. Using structure shown as inFIG. 3A, it is possible to stack more side plates vertically to storemore objects.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3D, it is another preferred embodiment. It usesextension feet 95 to connect end plates 35 and side plate 5. Eachextended foot 95 has connection holes (not shown) on it. The side plate5 and end plates 35 are connected via the connecting pins 85 that arefitting into the connection holes in extended foot and side plate. Sideplates 35 are used to connect the up side plate 10 and down side plate5, so the stand pillars 25 as in FIG. 3C will not be used.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3E, it is similar to the construction of FIG.3C, and the only difference is that the up side plate with wide ribs 45toward up of the arrangement, even more, each reserving slot formed bywide ribs 45 has a slice of shield plate 100, therefore, the up sideplate is for placing stationary, etc.

[0061] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated withreference to particular embodiments, it is not to be limited by thedisclosure here. Any variation using the principles disclosed in thisinvention by persons skilled in the art is still in the scope of thisinvention. This invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicatedby the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular blocks assembly CD rack, comprising: atleast two side plates, each side plate being a plate module with twolarger side surfaces; at least two end plates, each end plate being aplate module with two larger side surfaces; and a connecting mechanism,said connecting mechanism connecting the two end plates with the twoside plates so as to form a suitable distance between the two sideplates, a reserving room being defined between the two side plates;wherein, the two larger side surfaces of each side plate areindividually installed with plural reserving slots, and the spacing ofthe reserving slots on the two side surfaces are different, thus, bychoosing the same side surfaces of the two side plates facing toward thereceiving room, it is possible to store objects of different thickness;wherein, the connecting mechanism connects the side plates and endplates, by the mechanisms built in both side surfaces of the side platesat positions relative to end plates, and mechanisms built in both sidesof the end plates relative to side plates, so with either side surfaceof the side plates facing toward the reserving room, the side plates andend plates can be connected easily.
 2. The modular blocks assembly CDrack of claim 1, wherein the shape of transverse cross-section of sideplate is symmetric with both sides, and no matter which side surface ofeach side plate faces to the reserving room, every side plate and endplate can be smoothly connected each other via the connecting mechanism.3. The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 1, wherein an arc-shapedfoot structure is installed on two sides of each end plate, and two endsof two side surfaces of each side plate are arc-shaped edges, therefore,the arc-shaped foot structure can fit with the arc-shaped edge.
 4. Themodular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 1, wherein two end surfaces oftwo sides of each side plate are set plural connecting mechanism whichconnects with the relative connecting mechanism of adjacent side plates,and therefore the side plate can be connected with other side plate inthe direction of the side surface and expands the side plates and endplates.
 5. The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 1, wherein saidconnecting mechanism can be chosen from any one of the following pairs:connecting pin and connecting hole, bolt and tap hole, key and key slot,female dovetail and male dovetail, and bulge and notch groove.
 6. Themodular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 5, wherein said connectingmechanism can be chosen from any one of the following, pairs: connectingpin and connecting hole, bolt and tap hole, key and key slot, femaledovetail and male dovetail, and bulge and notch groove.
 7. The modularblocks assembly CD rack of claim 1, wherein the rack further comprises aback plate, and the back plate is for increasing the rigidity andstability of the rack.
 8. The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim1, wherein the reserving slots are formed by parallel ribs distributedon side surfaces of side plate, and thus each of the side surface isdivided into plural reserving slots.
 9. The modular blocks assembly CDrack of claim 8, wherein the side plate is a plate shape and hollowframe structure, the ribs comprise plural tiny strip shape ribs and widestrip shape ribs, furthermore, at least some wide strip shape ribs arenot adjacent, and the one side surface of the side plate has beeninstalled all the ribs in the hollow frame forming reserving slots withnarrower spacing on the side surface, and only wide strip shape ribsextend to the other side surface forming reserving slots of widerspacing on that side surface.
 10. The modular blocks assembly CD rack ofclaim 1, wherein there is a stand plate installed on front edge of theend plate at the bottom, and the base area of the whole rack becomeslarger and the structure is more stable.
 11. A modular blocks assemblyCD rack, which forms multiple types of CD rack for storing differenttypes of CD boxes or other objects, said CD rack comprising: at leasetwo side plates, each side plate being a plate module and with twolarger side surfaces and two smaller end surfaces; at least two endplates, each end plate being a plate module and with two larger sidesurfaces; a connecting mechanism for connecting the two end plates withtwo side plates, said two side plates being spaced from each other at asuitable distance so as to define a reserving room between the two sideplates for storing objects; wherein, the two larger side surfaces ofeach side plate are individually installed with plural reserving slots,and the spacing of the reserving slots on the two side surfaces aredifferent, thus, by choosing the same side surfaces of the two sideplates facing toward the reserving room, it is possible to store objectsof different thickness; wherein, the connecting mechanism connects theside plates and end plates, by the mechanisms built in both sidesurfaces of the side plates at positions relative to end plates, andmechanisms built in both sides of the end plates relative to sideplates, so with either side surface of the side plates facing toward thereserving room, the side plates and end plates can be connected easily.12. The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 11, wherein the twoside surfaces of each side plate are individually installed pluralreserving slots, and gaps of the reserving slots on the two sidesurfaces are different, thus, by choosing either of the same sidesurfaces of the two side plates toward the reserving rooms and facingeach other, the reserving room is capable of storing objects ofdifferent thickness in the reserving slots.
 13. The modular blocksassembly CD rack of claim 12, wherein the reserving slots are formed byparallel ribs distributed on side surface of side plate, and thus theside surface is divided into plural reserving slots.
 14. The modularblocks assembly CD rack of claim 13, wherein the side plate is a plateshape and hollow frame structure, the ribs comprise plural tiny stripshape ribs and wide strip shape ribs, furthermore, at least some widestrip shape ribs are not adjacent, and one side surface of the sideplate has been installed all the ribs in the hollow frame formingnarrower spacing of reserving slots on the side surface, and only widestrip shape ribs extend to another side surface forming wider spacing ofreserving slots on that side surface.
 15. The modular blocks assembly CDrack of claim 11, wherein the cross-sectional view of the side plate aresymmetrical for right and left sides, and so no matter which sidesurface of each side plate faces to the reserving room, the side platesand end plates can be connected by the connecting mechanism easily. 16.The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 15, wherein an arc-shapedfoot structure is installed on two sides of each end plate, and two endsof two side surfaces of each side plate are arc-shaped edges, therefore,the arc-shaped foot structure can fit with the arc-shaped edge.
 17. Themodular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 11, wherein the connectingmechanism can be chosen from any one of the following pairs: connectingpin and connecting hole, bolt and tap hole, key and key slot, femaledovetail and male dovetail, and bulge and notch groove.
 18. The modularblocks assembly CD rack of claim 11, wherein the rack further comprisesa back plate, and the back plate is for increasing the rigidity andstability of the rack.
 19. The modular blocks assembly CD rack of claim1, wherein there is a stand plate installed on front edge of the endplate at the bottom, card the base area of the whole rack becomes largerand the structure is more stable.
 20. A modular blocks assembly CD rack,comprising: at least one side plate, which is a plate module and withtwo larger side surfaces and two smaller end surfaces, each of the twoside surfaces is installed with reserving slots and the spacing of thereserving slots on the two side surfaces are different, furthermore, thetwo end surfaces of the side plate are individually installed withconnecting mechanism which can be used to connect adjacent side plate;at least two bottom feet, which are connecting with the side plate atthe two ends, and raising the side plate a certain height, and there isa connecting bole on each of the bottom foot for placing a support beam;and at least one support beam, which connects the beam holes.
 21. Themodular blocks assembly CD rack of claim 20, comprising: plural standpillars, which are vertical to side surfaces of the side plates, and thestand pillars are to connect two side plates for forming a reservingroom between the two side plates.